Stony Point Colony closed to public

The Stony Point Penguin Colony near Hermanus in the Western Cape has been closed to the public after a trawler ran aground at Betty’s Bay and spilled diesel into the sea.

“It’s closed to the public at the moment, it’s unknown when it will reopen,” CapeNature spokesman Justin Lawrence said on Friday.

“Yes, it’s because of this incident… we want to keep a closer eye on the birds.”

The 19.63 metre fishing vessel, carrying 10,000 litres of diesel and engine oil, ran aground about five kilometres from the marine protected area on Thursday, threatening the colony.

Lawrence said the 4000-strong penguin colony was being watched closely.

“We are monitoring the penguins at the moment. We don’t have any birds affected by the diesel spill so far. The monitoring will be indefinite.”

Stony Point is home to various penguin species and breeding birds.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said seven men were able to escape from the boat by jumping onto rocks. A seventh man, believed to be the skipper, apparently hit his head on the rocks and drowned.

NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said the 43-year-old’s body had been recovered.

“It is believed that the vessel hit rocks… in the vicinity of Voelklip, Betty’s Bay,” he said.